VIDALIA —Michael Kelly Stevens could face the death penalty when he goes to trial.

Stevens, 41, was indicted earlier this week by the grand jury on charges of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Vidalia resident Mike Welch, 52.

The indictment states that the 10-person grand jury, “heard witnesses and viewed evidence concerning Michael Kelly Stevens for first-degree murder, one (murder) occurring between the dates of Oct. 1, 2009 and Oct. 4.”

Stevens was initially charged with second-degree murder, but the grand jury has the ability to change charges to greater or lesser offenses.

The punishment for second-degree murder is life imprisonment without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence, but when someone is convicted of first-degree murder the possibility of the death penalty is also placed on the table.

Stevens was arrested Oct. 13. He had fled the area and was in Channelview, Texas, when Harris County Sheriff’s Deputies saw the vehicle he was driving — the victim’s pickup truck — in a park after closing time.

He initially tried to flee, and unsuccessfully attempted to swim away in the nearby Houston Ship Channel before being arrested.

Stevens was extradited to Concordia Parish Oct. 28, and Judge Leo Boothe set his bond at $2 million.

Welch’s body was discovered at his 804 Myrtle St., residence Oct. 4. His throat had been cut.

Family members said Welch lived alone, but at the time of the slaying police said Welch had allowed Stevens to stay at the house.

Stevens, who had two prior sex crime convictions, had used the victim’s address when he registered as a sex offender in Concordia Parish.

When Stevens was booked into the Concordia Parish jail following his extradition, he also used the Myrtle Street address.